Extension Instructor or Extension Educator - Water & Cropping Systems; Adams

Overview

This position is based in Hastings, NE, with the geographic accountability region of Adams, Franklin, Kearney, and Webster counties. This is a twelve‑month, non‑tenure track position. The educator serves as a trusted, research‑based educational leader connecting the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln, the agricultural industry, and Nebraska communities through practical, science‑based extension programming and applied research.

Primary responsibilities include developing and delivering impactful water and cropping systems extension programming that improves agricultural profitability and sustainability, reduces environmental risk, encourages natural resources stewardship, enhances agricultural resiliency, and expands public understanding of food, forage, grain, and fiber production systems.

The educator translates complex research into practical, solution‑based educational experiences for diverse audiences including farmers, ranchers, agribusiness professionals, community leaders, and the general public. Educational delivery methods may include workshops, field demonstrations, applied research trials, digital resources, consultations, media outreach, and collaborative partnerships.

As a member of the statewide Water and Cropping Systems team, the educator actively contributes to the development of innovative, research‑based resources and interdisciplinary solutions addressing current and emerging agricultural challenges for their assigned region and across Nebraska. The position requires collaboration with university faculty, extension colleagues, industry partners, agencies, and local stakeholders to identify needs and deliver responsive programming.

The educator is expected to maintain a visible and engaged presence within the communities they serve and become a recognized first source of trusted, unbiased agricultural information. Success in this role requires strong teaching and communication skills, community engagement, relationship building, leadership in agricultural education, and the ability to foster meaningful partnerships that support Nebraska agriculture and rural communities.

• Exemplifies positive and professional behavior and attitude towards colleagues, clients, and partner organizations.
• Develops and delivers proactive, innovative, and engaging educational programs and products, using teaching methods and strategies that have significant reach, engagement, and impact in your county, accountability region, and, as appropriate, statewide and nationally.
• Establishes and sustains a strong local and regional clientele base and programming portfolio that is documented and shared with colleagues.
• Employs innovative strategies and technologies to design, develop, implement, and assess programs for a strong Extension education program/engagement at the county, accountability region, and statewide levels.
• Engages and teaches in a collaborative learning and problem‑solving environment, working with assistants, educators, and specialists to encourage learners to adopt research‑based decision‑making information.
• Deliberately engages and works closely with one or more Extension specialists to fulfill your Extension responsibilities.
• Collaborates with specialists and research faculty to conduct applied and validation research (e.g., on‑farm, ranch, or community) that can be amplified via multiple engagement platforms.
• Shows robust contributions to multidisciplinary team settings with Extension professionals and other internal and external partners to translate and convey the latest research‑based information.
• Engages local, regional, and statewide partners to identify and address high‑priority issues where Extension is particularly well positioned to contribute.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration with local, regional and statewide leaders that nurtures and strengthens positive relationships among the University, its partners, and the people we serve.
• Employs entrepreneurial practices to obtain funding and partnerships, enhancing Extension's program reach and impact.
• Creates ongoing programming revenue that supports the viability of individuals,…